Sunday, March 1, 2015

History of Bangladesh

Sheikh Mujib Administration

Upon assuming
the presidency after his release, Sheikh Mujib
briefly assumed the provisional presidency and later took office as the prime
minister, heading all organs of government and decision-making. The politicians
elected in 1970 formed the provisional parliament
of the new state. The Mukti Bahini and other militias amalgamated to form a new
Bangladeshi army to which Indian forces
transferred control on March 17. The government faced serious challenges, which
including the rehabilitation of millions of people displaced in 1971,
organizing the supply of food, health aids and other necessities. The effects
of the 1970 cyclone had not worn off, and the state's economy had immensely deteriorated by the
conflict.

Mujib helped
Bangladesh enter into the United Nations
and the Non-Aligned Movement. He
travelled to the United States, the United Kingdom and other European nations
to obtain humanitarian and developmental assistance for the nation. He signed a
treaty of friendship with India, which pledged extensive economic and
humanitarian assistance and began training Bangladesh's security forces and
government personnel.Mujib forged a close friendship with Indira Gandhi,strongly
praising India's decision to intercede, and professed admiration and friendship
for India. Major efforts were launched to rehabilitate an estimated 10 million
refugees. The economy began recovering and a famine
was prevented. A constitution was proclaimed in 1973 and elections were held, which resulted in Mujib and
his party gaining power with an absolute majority. He further outlined state
programmes to expand primary education,
sanitation, food, healthcare, water and electric supply across the country. A
five-year plan released in 1973 focused state investments into agriculture, rural
infrastructure and cottage industries.

In 1974, Bangladesh
experienced the deadliest famine ever, which killed around 1.5 million
Bangladeshi people from hunger. The Bangladesh
famine of 1974 is a major source of discontent against Mujib's
government. Bangladeshi people feel ashamed, insulted and demoralized as a
nation for this famine that was not due to a food crisis.

Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL)

The 1974 famine had personally shocked Mujib and
profoundly affected his views on governance while political unrest gave rise to
increasing violence. During the famine, 70000 people were reported as dead
(Note: Reports vary). In response, he began increasing his powers. On January
25, 1975 Mujib declared a state of emergency
and his political supporters approved a constitutional amendment banning all
opposition political parties. Mujib assumed the presidency and was given
extraordinary powers.[2][5] His political supporters amalgamated to
form the only legalised political party, the Bangladesh
Krishak Sramik Awami League, commonly known by its initials—BAKSAL.
The party identified itself with the rural masses, farmers and labourers and
took control of government machinery. It also launched major socialist
programmes. Using government forces and a militia of supporters called the Jatiyo Rakkhi Bahini,
Mujib oversaw the arrest of opposition activists and strict control of
political activities across the country. Members of Jatiyo Rakkhi Bahini were
granted immunity from prosecution and other legal proceedings.The militia known
as RakhiBahini and police were accused of torturing suspects and political
killings. While retaining support from many segments of the population, Mujib
evoked anger amongst veterans of the liberation war for what was seen as a
betrayal of the causes of democracy and civil
rights.

Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and aftermath

On August 15,
1975, a group of junior army officers invaded the presidential residence with tanks and killed Mujib, his family and personal
staff. Only his daughters Sheikh Hasina Wajed
and Sheikh Rehana, who were visiting West Germany, escaped. They were banned from
returning to Bangladesh. The coup was planned by disgruntled Awami League
colleagues and military officers, which included Mujib's colleague and former
confidanté Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, who
became his immediate successor. There was intense speculation in the media
accusing the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
of having instigated the plot. Lawrence Lifschultz has alleged that the CIA was
involved in the coup and assassination, basing his assumption on the then US
ambassador in Dhaka Eugene Booster.

Mujib's death
plunged the nation into many years of political turmoil. The coup leaders were
soon overthrown and a series of counter-coups and political assassinations
paralysed the country. Order was largely restored after a coup in 1977 gave
control to the army chief Ziaur Rahman.
Declaring himself President in 1978, Ziaur Rahman signed the Indemnity Ordinance, giving immunity from
prosecution to the men who plotted Mujib's assassination and overthrow.

Ziaur Rahman administration, 1975-81

Successive
military coups resulted in the emergence of Army Chief of Staff General Ziaur Rahman ("Zia") as strongman. He
pledged the army's support to the civilian government headed by President Chief
Justice Sayem. Acting at Zia's behest, Sayem dissolved Parliament, promising
fresh elections in 1977, and instituted martial law.

Acting behind
the scenes of the Martial Law Administration (MLA), Zia sought to invigorate
government policy and administration. While continuing the ban on political
parties, he sought to revitalize the demoralized bureaucracy, to begin new
economic development programs, and to emphasize family planning. In November
1976, Zia became Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) and assumed the
presidency upon Sayem's retirement five months later, promising national
elections in 1978.

Processions
following funeral of Ziaur Rahama

As President,
Zia announced a 19-point program of economic reform and began dismantling the
MLA. Keeping his promise to hold elections, Zia won a five-year term in June
1978 elections, with 76% of the vote. In November 1978, his government removed
the remaining restrictions on political party activities in time for
parliamentary elections in February 1979. These elections, which were contested
by more than 30 parties, marked the culmination of Zia's transformation of
Bangladesh's Government from the MLA to a democratically elected,
constitutional one. The AL and the Bangladesh
Nationalist Party (BNP), founded by Zia, emerged as the two major
parties.

In May 1981,
Zia was assassinated in Chittagong by
dissident elements of the military. The attempted coup never spread beyond that
city, and the major conspirators were either taken into custody or killed. In
accordance with the constitution, Vice President Justice Abdus Sattar was sworn
in as a